United News of Bangladesh

Coolie is a 2025 Tamil-language action thriller featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Aamir Khan in a cameo role. The main theme centres around a former coolie union leader who stands against a corrupt syndicate exploiting port workers. The film was released worldwide on August 14, 2025. This 170-minute film is directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, reuniting with Lokesh Kanagaraj once again; the score includes three notable singles, "Chikitu," "Monica," and "Powerhouse." The dance hook step from “Monica”, performed by Pooja Hegde, went viral on social media, boosting anticipation. Read more: Jolly LLB 3 Teaser: Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi in Hilarious Jolly vs Jolly Early Reviews and Reactions of Fans The advance booking number of the Coolie (2025) ticket broke records worldwide. The fans are excited to watch Rajinikanth’s comeback on the silver screen. The ensemble cast, including Aamir Khan's cameo, also earned attention. Rajinikanth’s dazzling smile, charismatic acting and vintage swag are being praised on social media once again. However, there are mixed reactions. While many celebrated the action and energy, others criticised the second half of the film for its uneven pacing and lack of originality. Some viewers labelled certain scenes clichéd or derivative, going as far as tagging the film with #CoolieDisaster on X. Read more: Coolie vs War 2 vs Dhumketu: Which Movie Tops Advance Booking Charts? Kannada-language reactions highlighted Rajinikanth's powerful performance but noted that Lokesh’s direction and story structure didn't meet expectations. Selective Critic Reviews Pinkvilla summarised the film as a “stylish action entertainer” that unfortunately “fails to live up to the hype.” India.com celebrated Rajinikanth’s “power-packed” performance, calling it a triumphant return. The Indian Express spotlighted Shruti Haasan’s role, with impressions that her performance, portraying Preethi, might be among the “finest of her career,” and highlighted a strong “feminine quotient”. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Lineup for September 2025: Top 10 New and Returning Shows

Bringing a lively burst of humour to the spotlight, ‘Jolly LLB 3’ unveiled its teaser on August 12, 2025. Scheduled to hit theatres on September 19, 2025, this Hindi comedy-drama movie promises an engaging blend of wit and light-hearted tension. The brief preview offers a glimpse of a hilarious courtroom face-off between the two Jollys. Let’s explore the ensemble cast, creative minds, and the early reactions sparked by the teaser of the upcoming Bollywood film Jolly LLB 3. On-screen Faces and the Team Behind the Scenes The upcoming comedy legal drama comes from the pen and direction of Subhash Kapoor. Serving as the third chapter in the Jolly LLB series, it builds on its predecessors and follows the events of ‘Jolly LLB 2’. In a unique twist for this instalment, Arshad Warsi first brought Jolly to life in the debut film. He now shares the screen with Akshay Kumar, the face of the second part. Both return to the courtroom together for the first time in the franchise. Read more: Coolie vs War 2 vs Dhumketu: Which Movie Tops Advance Booking Charts? The cast further reunites familiar faces, with Huma Qureshi, Amrita Rao, Annu Kapoor, and Saurabh Shukla stepping back into their established roles. For Amrita Rao, the project also signals her return to films after a six-year break. Alok Jain and Ajit Andhare helm the production, bringing together Star Studios and Kangra Talkies. Jolly vs Jolly: Decoding the Teaser’s Plot At the heart of the story lies a clash between two iconic lawyers, each set on taking on the judicial framework to uphold justice. This courtroom is set to witness twice the drama and twice the laughter. Akshay Kumar returns as the fiery Jolly Mishra, facing off against Arshad Warsi’s crafty Jolly Tyagi. Their sharp exchanges and playful rivalry already have audiences amused. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Lineup for September 2025: Top 10 New and Returning Shows The teaser brings back Judge Tripathi, played by Saurabh Shukla, who once again finds himself trapped between the two. Banter, clever comebacks, and spirited arguments keep testing his patience as the legal duel unfolds. Teaser Reaction The much-awaited teaser made an immediate splash online in just six hours. It racked up over 25 million views, eventually soaring to 100 million across social platforms within a day. YouTube alone accounted for more than 21.6 million of these views. Read more: Will Zee TV’s long-running daily soap Kumkum Bhagya end soon? Social media is buzzing with hashtags like #JollyLLB3 and #JollyVsJolly. Fans are flooding timelines with memes and clips highlighting the funniest moments, fuelling even greater curiosity about the film. For audiences, the showdown between Jolly vs Jolly – and the chaos it brings for Judge Tripathi – promises to be nothing short of a delightful headache. Final Words ‘Jolly LLB 3’ brings Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi together in a black comedy legal drama with familiar faces returning. The teaser’s witty courtroom exchanges and Judge Tripathi’s exasperation have struck a chord with audiences. Its viral run, trending hashtags, and flood of memes show rising anticipation, with fans hailing it as one of the most entertaining previews recently. Read more: Raihan Rafi, Siam Ahmed join forces with famous musicians for horror film 'Andhar'

Box office currents are already surging, with ‘Coolie’, ‘War 2’, and ‘Dhumketu’ drawing fierce attention ahead of their clash. All three storm theatres on August 14, 2025, carrying the same action thriller essence, yet each fused with its own distinct flavour. Early buzz hints at a seismic showdown in presales. Let’s see how the numbers shape this cinematic battlefield. Rajinikanth-Aamir Khan’s Coolie A Tamil action spectacle, ‘Coolie’ comes under the vision of director Lokesh Kanagaraj and the banner of Sun Pictures, led by producer Kalanithi Maran. The cast is a powerhouse, uniting Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, and Upendra in commanding roles. The story steps into a coastal port town ruled by a corrupt syndicate, where coolies endure relentless patterns of mistreatment and hardship. A mysterious man rises against their oppressors, challenging the system’s grip with unyielding resolve. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Lineup for September 2025: Top 10 New and Returning Shows Hrithik Roshan-NTR Jr.’s War 2 Directed by Ayan Mukerji and backed by Aditya Chopra’s Yash Raj Films, War 2 continues the adrenaline-fueled legacy of the YRF Spy franchise. It follows directly from the events of War (2019), raising the stakes for the franchise. Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani headline the film, joined by Ashutosh Rana and Anil Kapoor. The plot thrusts rogue agent Kabir into a dark new place, making him India’s most dangerous adversary. To stop him, the nation unleashes its deadliest weapon – Agent Vikram. Read more: Will Zee TV’s long-running daily soap Kumkum Bhagya end soon? Dev-Subhashree’s Dhumketu Blending intense action with romance, Dhumketu is crafted by Kaushik Ganguly, who serves as both writer and director. The production is led by Rana Sarkar and Dev under Dag Creative Media and Dev Entertainment Ventures. Dev stars alongside Subhashree Ganguly, reuniting with her after their memorable pairing in Khoka 420 (2013). The narrative follows a tea estate manager in the hills who faces unemployment amid a crisis, struggling with limited means to sustain himself. Determined, he fights through financial hardship to rebuild his life. The journey of the film itself has been turbulent, as filming began in October 2015 and wrapped in January 2017. Production then stalled for years due to unforeseen hurdles. After nearly nine years, the project has been revived and completed, sparking fresh anticipation among audiences. Read more: New Korean Drama Lineup for August 2025 : 10 Binge-worthy Releases Coolie, War 2, and Dhumketu Face Off in Advance Booking Race Advance ticket sales for ‘Coolie’ ignited global momentum the moment they opened on 22 July. In the United States, Rs. 15 lakh (USD 18,000) worth of tickets disappeared within minutes. Dallas alone saw 600 seats snapped up instantly. The North American market responded with remarkable speed—over 10,000 tickets sold in just a few days, covering 438 shows. By 25 July, international pre-sales had already crossed Rs. 2.5 crore amounting to USD 300,000. The figure climbed to Rs. 4.2 crore (USD 500,000) within three days. As of 31 July, earnings touched Rs. 5.9 crore, equivalent to USD 700,000. Trade analysts confidently predicted the Rs. 8.5 crore (USD 1 million) mark would fall, and it did – boosted by the trailer release on 2 August. With these numbers, ‘Coolie’ cemented its position among the highest-grossing Indian films in North American advance sales history. Three days before release, ‘Coolie’ maintained a clear lead over ‘War 2’ in North America. The Tamil and Telugu versions together accounted for 73,228 tickets (USD 1.86 million), from 500 locations and 1,565 shows. In comparison, ‘War 2’ had moved 16,226 tickets, earning USD 435,000 from 763 locations and 1,977 shows. In India, the contrast remained striking. ‘War 2’ recorded Rs. 4.71 crore in advance bookings (Rs. 9.1 crore including block seats), covering 1,44,081 tickets across 8,716 shows. Meanwhile, ‘Coolie’ had already crossed Rs. 20 crore in pre-sales. Read more: South Indian Movies Launching in August 2025: 12 Must-watch Films Hitting Screens Yet, an unexpected twist came from West Bengal. Here, the Bengali movie ‘Dhumketu’ disrupted the pattern, delivering a spirited challenge to both big-budget rivals. As of Monday, 11 August, 11:00 am, it had sold nearly 21,000 tickets, and demand kept climbing by the hour. ‘War 2’, by contrast, had sold around 5,500 tickets in the state. The response to ‘Dhumketu’ left its makers astonished. Several shows across West Bengal, especially in Kolkata, were either filling fast or nearly sold out. This surge was extraordinary for a film that completed production 9-10 years ago. Delays often dull a movie’s appeal, yet here, anticipation has only intensified. Audiences know the film’s long journey, but that hasn’t dimmed their enthusiasm. In fact, it has made this moment feel historic. Verdict ‘Coolie (2025)’, ‘War 2 (2025)’, and ‘Dhumketu (2025)’ are steering toward a box office clash with distinct momentum in their favour. While ‘Coolie’ dominates globally and in most Indian territories, ‘War 2’ maintains steady traction in its key markets. In West Bengal, ‘Dhumketu’ has defied expectations, capturing audience excitement despite its decade-old production. Each film carries its own pull, shaping a dynamic and unpredictable race. However, the post-release showdown will decide who truly owns the stage. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Slate For August 2025: Exclusive Films and Series

Dhallywood’s one of the most successful directors in recent years Raihan Rafi, popular actor Siam Ahmed, and two celebrated band artists — Saidus Khaled Sumon, widely known as 'Bassbaba Sumon' of Aurthohin, and Cryptic Fate vocalist Chowdhury Fazle Shakib, also known as Shakib Chowdhury — are teaming up for a new horror film titled 'Andhar', set to be produced under the banner of 221B Films. According to the film’s newly unveiled poster, 'Andhar' is produced by Sarah Ali, Chowdhury Fazle Shakib, and Adnan Adib Khan, with a story by Chowdhury Fazle Shakib, Adnan Adib Khan, and Saidus Khaled Sumon. The screenplay and dialogues are penned by Chowdhury Fazle Shakib and Adnan Adib Khan, while Adnan also serves as a writer and producer. Known for their fascination with the paranormal, Sumon and Shakib have spent years exploring old houses, cremation grounds, and other sites steeped in ghost stories, once turning these experiences into the popular Radio Foorti show 'Bhoutist' with their friend Gibran. Shakib Khan marks 26 years in Dhallywood, continues to reign supreme Their long-held plan for a feature film was delayed due to busy schedules and Sumon’s illness, but has now been revived with 'Andhar'. In recent media interviews, Shakib described the project as a dream for both him and Sumon. “It started during ‘Bhoutist’ and we had planned it long ago. Now, we are finally making it happen,” he told the media. While the full cast has yet to be announced, production sources said Siam Ahmed is in talks for the lead role. Filming is expected to begin soon, with a press conference scheduled to reveal further details, Shakib Chowdhury told UNB on Tuesday. The poster’s imagery — a dimly lit, long dining table flanked by empty chairs, with a lone crow and glowing eyes in the shadows — hints at a gothic and suspenseful tone for the film. 'Andhar' will also mark the debut production of 221B Films, which plans several more projects alongside this horror feature.

Zach Cregger’s horror film Weapons dominated the weekend box office, opening with $42.5 million domestically from 3,202 theaters and $70 million internationally. The debut marks Warner Bros. Pictures’ seventh No. 1 opening this year, and its sixth consecutive film to launch above $40 million domestically. Disney’s Freakier Friday, a sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, took second place with $29 million from 3,975 North American theaters. Both films benefited from viral marketing and strong social media buzz, according to Comscore’s Paul Dergarabedian. Weapons, set in the small town of Maybrook where 17 children vanish at 2:17 a.m., earned a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and follows Cregger’s breakout 2022 film Barbarian. Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps slipped to third with $15.5 million after a strong $118 million debut. Rounding out the top five were The Bad Guys 2 ($10.4 million) and The Naked Gun ($8.4 million). Jurassic World Rebirth, in seventh place, is expected to surpass $800 million globally by Monday. Bigg Boss 19: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim may join Salman Khan’s reality show Weekend’s Top 10 (domestic estimates): Weapons — $42.5MFreakier Friday — $29MThe Fantastic Four: First Steps — $15.5MThe Bad Guys 2 — $10.4MThe Naked Gun — $8.4MSuperman — $7.8MJurassic World Rebirth — $4.7MF1: The Movie — $2.9MTogether — $2.6MSketch — $2.5M Source: Agency 

Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, which released on July 18, 2025, has become a cultural sensation and box office success, marking three weeks since its release. Featuring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, the film’s impressive performance has surprised many and redefined expectations for newcomer-led projects. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, speaking to NDTV, commented on the film's potential to cross the ₹500 crore mark domestically. He said, “No, I think this is the maximum. But even this is a massive achievement for a film with newcomers.” He further praised the film’s performance, stating, “Saiyaara has broken all records for a debut-cast film. It’s the biggest opener and highest-grossing film ever for newcomers, surpassing ₹300 crore — a first of its kind. It’s now competing with films starring major stars, which is extraordinary.” On August 4, Saiyaara crossed the ₹300 crore mark in India, outperforming big-star releases like Son of Sardaar 2 (Ajay Devgn) and Dhadak 2 (Triptii Dimri, Siddhant Chaturvedi), both of which released on August 1. Global Success Adarsh also highlighted the film’s international success, saying, “It has worked not only in India but globally, showing the film’s universal appeal. It’s a massive blockbuster.” Globally, Saiyaara has already crossed ₹500 crore at the box office. Latest Box Office Figures As of August 7, Saiyaara earned ₹1.85 crore that day, bringing its domestic total to ₹308.45 crore, according to Sacnilk. In comparison, Dhadak 2 earned ₹1 crore, and Son of Sardaar 2 made ₹1.40 crore on the same day. Both films continue to trail behind Saiyaara, despite releasing two weeks later. Saiyaara emerged as the second-highest-grossing film of the year after Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. The film also set the record for being one of the highest-grossing opening weekends of the year. Except for Mahavtar Narsimha, neither Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2 nor Ajay Devgn's Son Of Sardaar 2 seems to pose any threat to Saiyaara's box office numbers. In A Nutshell Taran Adarsh shares his views on Saiyaara crossing the Rs 500 crore mark in India. The film has surpassed the same in its global box office collection.   Source NDTV

Leading mobile network operator Robi has launched a special offer for its users — allowing them to watch two newly released films on the popular OTT platform Chorki at just Tk 18 under its ‘1 Ticket 2 Movies’ campaign. For the first time, Robi is offering this kind of entertainment service, enabling subscribers to enjoy ‘Utshob’ and ‘Taandob’, two films released on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha 2025, through a 30-day subscription package. The offer went live on August 7 and will continue for two months. To avail the offer, Robi subscribers can purchase the movie pack via multiple platforms including the My Robi App, mobile recharge, MFS channels (such as bKash and Nagad), and USSD codes. Upon purchasing, users will receive access to watch both films at their convenience within the next 30 days. The purchase link is: cutt.ly/Taandob_Utshob. 'Utshob' and 'Taandob' were released on August 7, just after midnight, on Chorki. While regular Chorki subscribers can access the films through standard methods, non-subscribers can also watch them through the special Robi movie pack. 'Austachole Rabi’: BSA commemorates 84th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore To mark the launch, a signing ceremony between Robi and Chorki was held at the Chorki headquarters. Robi officials present at the event included Mohammad Showkat Kader Chowdhury, Head of Robi Marketing; Md. Sanjid Hossain, Associate Director, Commercial Partnership; and Tarek Mohammed Enamul Hoque, Senior General Manager, Internet and Streaming ATL. From Chorki’s side, the event was attended by Redoan Rony, CEO; Masudul Amin Rintu, Head of Content Operation and Commercial; Faisal Rahman, Head of Marketing and Growth; and Jabed Sultan Pias, Chief Digital Business Officer of Prothom Alo. Speaking on the occasion, Robi's Head of Marketing, Mohammad Showkat Kader Chowdhury said, “Robi has always aimed to deliver premium services to its customers. This initiative is part of our commitment to offer affordable, high-quality digital entertainment to users across the country. We thank Chorki for partnering with us on this journey, and we believe the audience will thoroughly enjoy 'Utshob' and 'Taandob'.” Singapore Raffles Music College invites Pooja Sengupta as visiting fellow Redoan Rony, CEO of Chorki, said, “Audiences have shared their appreciation for 'Utshob' and 'Taandob'. While many have seen the films in city theatres, viewers in district towns and semi-urban areas often miss out. Through this partnership with Robi, these films will now be accessible directly in the hands of Bengali content lovers across the country; and we hope viewers will be captivated by both films.” Presented by BRAC Bank and powered by Edison Real Estate, 'Utshob' is directed by Tanim Noor and features an ensemble cast including Zahid Hasan, Soumya Jyoti, Sadia Ayman, Jaya Ahsan, Aupee Karim, Chanchal Chowdhury, Afsana Mimi, Tariq Anam Khan, Azad Abul Kalam, Intekhab Dinar, Sunerah Binte Kamal and more. On the other hand, 'Taandob', directed by Raihan Rafi, is produced by SVF Alpha-i Entertainment Limited in collaboration with Chorki and Deepto, and presented by Sensation Condom. Drone show stuns crowd marking July Uprising Day The stellar cast of 'Taandob' stars Dhallywood megastar Shakib Khan, alongside renowned actors Afzal Hossain, Tariq Anam Khan, Fazlur Rahman Babu, Salauddin Lavlu, Gazi Rakayet, Shahiduzzaman Selim, Ashok Bepari, Dr Ejaj, Rosie Siddiqui, Suman Anwar, A K Azad Setu, FS Nayeem, Shiba Shanu, among others.

Rising actor Aneet Padda, who won hearts with her powerful performance in Mohit Suri’s latest film Saiyaara, has thanked fans for their overwhelming response and shared an emotional note reflecting on her journey. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Padda expressed gratitude for the love she has received since the film’s release, admitting that the outpouring of affection has left her both moved and a little anxious about what lies ahead. “The daze is wearing off and all I want to say is that I love you… I don't know what to do except give it back,” she wrote. “I’m scared of what’s next, scared I won’t be enough, but whatever I have… I’ll put it out there.” Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2 battles for screens amid Saiyaara and Mahavatar Narsimha box office surge The actor, who portrays Vaani Batra—a young aspiring writer diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s—also shared a series of previously unseen stills from the film, produced by Yash Raj Films CEO Akshaye Widhani. Released on July 18, Saiyaara also stars Ahaan Panday and has been well received by critics and audiences alike. The film has grossed over Rs 306 crore in India and is set to complete three successful weeks at the box office on Friday. Director Mohit Suri, speaking about the casting process, revealed it took several months to find someone who could authentically play Vaani. “I needed someone who hadn’t altered themselves cosmetically… someone real,” said Suri. “Aneet had done some work before and was brilliant. She fit right in.” He added, “We often misjudge what small-town India is like—they’re more open than we think. Aneet had more to share with me than I had with her.” Padda’s portrayal of vulnerability and depth has earned her critical acclaim, establishing her as a promising new face in the industry.   Source: NDTV

Rumors are swirling that actors Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur might be dating, following a series of public appearances together. Speculation began when Dhanush attended Mrunal's birthday party on August 1. Prior to that, Dhanush traveled to Mumbai for a special screening of Son of Sardaar 2, which stars Mrunal Thakur and Ajay Devgn. The film premiered on the same day, and a video of Dhanush and Mrunal chatting at the event was shared on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, the two appear to have a close and private conversation, sparking dating buzz online. The video was captioned, “Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur are dating?” Fans quickly weighed in with mixed reactions. One commented, “Unconfirmed, but there are some hints,” while another said, “I think they’re just friends.” Others expressed disbelief at the possibility of them being a couple. Back in July, Mrunal also joined a party hosted by Kanika Dhillon to celebrate Dhanush’s upcoming film, Tere Ishk Mein, which also stars Kriti Sanon and is directed by Aanand L. Rai. Kanika shared photos from the event on Instagram, including a smiling shot of Dhanush and Mrunal posing together. Her caption read, “Our hearts are full! Our OG Raanjhanaa in the house Dhanush – we love you! With friends old and new – big smiles, bigger hearts! Grateful for the memories.” So far, neither Dhanush nor Mrunal Thakur has addressed or confirmed the dating rumors. Dhanush was previously married to Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth. The couple ended their 18-year marriage in 2022. They had first met during the release of Dhanush’s 2003 film Kadhal Kondaen. On the professional front, Tere Ishk Mein is slated to release on November 28, while Son of Sardaar 2, starring Mrunal and Ajay Devgn, hit theaters on August 1. Source: NDTV

Two of Dhaka’s oldest single-screen theatres — Geet and Sangeet — have once again shut down operations due to the ongoing crisis in the Bangladeshi film industry, marked by a lack of quality new releases and a sharp decline in audience turnout. Located on the Dholairpar-Jurain Road beside the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway, the twin cinemas had been screening Bangladeshi films on a regular basis. However, with little to attract moviegoers in recent months, the halls have gone dark for an indefinite period. The last film screened before the closure was 'Togor', starring Ador Azad and Puja Cherry, on Saturday. The hall authorities said that while the shutdown is indefinite, there remains a possibility of reopening during next year’s Eid season if the situation improves. This is not the first time the halls have faced such a fate. In December last year, Geet and Sangeet were also closed due to mounting business losses stemming from a shortage of quality local films and an overall downturn in the country’s cinema-going culture. The halls had reopened ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr in 2025 in hopes of a recovery, but the momentum proved short-lived. The closure of these historic cinema halls reflects a broader concern within the country's film exhibition sector, as single-screen theatres continue to struggle in the absence of compelling content and consistent audiences.